Signature handling machine



Nov. 3, 1931. -E. R. KAST SIGNATURE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 19293 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ca/rnm/om Mal/m1 951m. Gttorncgs Nov. 3, 1931. E. R.KAST SIGNATURE HANDLING MACHINE v Filed Aug. 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Nov. 3, 1931. s-r 1,829,833

smuuuns HANDLING mwam:

Filed Aug. 5. 1929 s Sheets-Sheet s Gttornegs wit R. Kasa or mix; YJoRK,ASSIGNQR TO DEXTER. rohnnn com- I, [Banter E -YOR Y A CORPORATION or newYORK ETGNATBREI,HANDLING MAQHi E 1v "lpplication filedKugust*5,'1929isteam). enamel This invention: relates" to signature handling'machines,and while capable ofgeneral use, is particularly adapted for assoc ation.with amachin'e 'o'f-this characten'wherem the signatures are openedprior td-deliVeryofthe same onto the si-gnature receivingidevice.

O-ne object of the invention s to: provide improved means forseparating' or opening 7 p the two halves of thesignatureprior todeliveryof the: same onto the recelving device.

]A-nother object of thefinvention is to provideimproved meanston-separating the-two halves of the'signature from each other,

which may also beused toassist gravity in de-J livering the signatureonto the receivingde vice-1w; 1Anot;l1er,objcct of the inventlon 1s toprovide: improved separating means: adjustable gto various positions sothat an" air blastorair blasts may be directed atany .deslredangle orangles onto the signatures to insureproper separation of the halvesthereofxand proper delivery of the signatures. 'Another object of.theiinvention ;1s to pros vide improved air blastjdevi'cesjthat,areicom pactly' and conveniently arranged and in which the air iscontrolled automatically in timed relation with signature opening anddeliveringdevices; V

w 1 1 Another object of the invention is to prov v thereof proceeds,

vide; asimply constructed, highly eflicient,

= I and inexpensive separating -means .o'f 'this character. .i: V

' These and other objects of invention will appear as thefollowingdescription and in order tom'ore clear- 1y understand saidinvention, referencemay behadito'the accompanying drawingswhiohinvention; 1

' illustrateqone embodiment of-the inventive Insaid drawings; Fig. .1 isan end-elevat on, of a'signature handling with .mechanism partlyinsection,

- Fig. 2,is an enlargeddetailiperspective view, with parts -omitted,-ofthe "signature handling machine and associated-devices illustrated. inFig. 1;

' f} Fig. 8. :is an enlarged end view,

natures} as they receiving-means. 1 J R'eferrin'gv to the drawings,wherein like designate like parts machine equipped embodying the lpresent positioned to direct blasts of air upwardly into open signaturesdelivered by gravity onto signature receiving means; and y Fig.4'is aView similar to Fig. 3, showing said nozzlespositioned to direct blastsof air downwardly onto the outer pages of open sigreference charactersdrop by'fgravity onto said throughout the several :views, the variousmovable parts of the machine therein illus tratedare mounted ona'framework that is indicated generally at and bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the machine foundation '6. his framework includesthe usual Vertical legs '7 that have boltedor otherwise suitably securedto the tops thereof, supporting members 8' which extend longitudinallofthe'machine and carry at each end thereof a frame member 9. Theseframe members are connected together by supports 10 that extendlongitudinally'ofthe machine in pargllel :relation with the supportingmemers:8.

Mounted on the supports 10 at intervals along-the same, are a-series ofsignature hop-' per o a; of which is'indicated generally at 11 (Fig 1).Each of these hoppers is provided at the'sidesthereof with a plate 12,the b'ottom of the' hopper being formed by rollers lSand the front ofthe hopper being formed byvertical plates, one of which is indic-ated:at 14:. The back open, as clearly shown in StZlGkvQf; signatures 15 mayducedinto the hopperandsupportedtherein Fig. 1, so thata bythe rollers13 and the plates 12 andl l4. I Extending transversely-of the machineandjournaled in suitable hearings on the framework thereof, is a shaftltion which is fixed The pulley 17 is driven bya a pulley 17. belt 1'8,from any sultable source of power (not shown). Fixed on the shaft 16 isa bevel gear 19 that meshes with a similar ear 20 of the hopper is bereadily introwhich is fixedon a'shaft 21." This s aft 21 extendslongitudinally of the machine and is journale'd insuitable bearings onbrackets, one of which is indicated at 22. These brackion ets are boltedor otherwise suitablysecured to the machine foundation 6, and the shaft21 carried by said brackets constitutes the main ings on the drivingshaft for the various movable parts .of' the machine.

Fixed on the shaft 21 is a gear 23 that -1neshes with a gear24 which isfixed 011 a shaft 25. This shaft 25 extends longitudi: nally of themachine and is journaled in suitable bearings on the framework thereof.Fixed on the shaft 25 is a gear 26 that meshes with a gear 27 which isfixedxon. a shaft 28. The shaft 28 extends longitudinally of the machinein parallel relation with the shafts 21 and 25 and is journaled insuitable bearframe 9 at each end thereof. The

gear 27 meshes with a gear 29 that is fixed on; a shaft 30 which alsoextends longitudi n'ally of the machine in parallel relation with theshafts.previouslyreferred to. This-shaft 30isjournaled'in suitablebearings carried by brackets such as indicated at-31. These brackets arebolted-or otherwise suitably se-j cured to the supports 10 andextendtransversely of the machine in, spaced parallel.

' relation.

. The shaft 30 has fixed thereon a (not shown) for imparting motion to alink 32 T that is pivotally connected at 33 with the free 3c end of anarm 34. This arm 34 is fixed on a rockshaft 35, that is journaled insuitable bearings on the brackets 31. The shaft 35 also has fixedthereon an arm 36, to the freeendof which is pivotally connected one arm37 of a 'belicrank, The other arm 38 of said bell crank carries asuction separator 39 which, through the described connections thereforwith the cam on shaft 30,:is moved up and down to engage the bottomsignature of the stack and separate the forward edge of said signaturefrom those. above it.-

. ispivoted at 40, on one of a series of brackets I 41 that extendtransverselyofthe machine and are bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the supports 10 thereof. Thesebrackets '41 carry the rollers 13 andother component parts of the signature hoppers above referred-to. v Asthe forward edge of each signature .1s

' separated by the member 39 said signature is seized by suitablemanner, one

grippers 42, cam operated in any carried by a rotatable support 43 thatisfixed .pn the; shaft 3:0, to rotate'therewithl"These grippers, whicha'ctto separate the signature from the stack, carry the signature aroundand deposit itonto a table 44provided with iroller's 45 that feed thesheet or signature down the table into the bite of a pair of suctionrollers 46. These rollers are fixed on .sh'afts'47 which extendlongitudinally of the machine the front thereof and are journ aled insuitable bearings on brackets such '1; lasindicated at 4?,said bracketsbeing bolted purpose,

toward the other, and

or otherwise suitably secured to the frame 9 and projecting outwardlytherefrom as clear-' ly shown in Fig. 1. V 7

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, it will be noted that apluralityof sets of rollers 46 are therein illustrated.- The number of sets ofrollers '46, as well as the number of separators 39, grippers 42, andfeed tables 44, will correspond to the number of signature boxes, sothat each of the latter is provided with means for-separating, feeding,and delivering .thesignatures thereinto a set of 1 the 'rollers'46l Therollers 46'of each set, are

driven in opposite directions, and for this he gear 27 meshes with'agear 48 that is fixed on one oftheshafts .47. The shafts 47 have fixedthereon intermeshing gears '49, ahditwill; thus appear that said shaftsand the rollers 46 "fixed'thereon, are driven ;in opposite directionsby'the intermeshinggears27, 48 and 49, 49.

he rollers 46 are hollow and provided in corresponding ends thereof witharcuateshaped ports (not shown) adapted to intermittently register withthe iends iof suction conduits-5O and thusintermittently create suction:in. said rollers. The ends of the conduits 50 which extend adjacent therollers 46, are secured to disks 51 which are mountedon the shafts 47and fixed against rotation there with in any suitable manner. Theconduits 50 areall connected with a'suction pipe 52 vwhich extendslongitudinally of the machine andis supported inany suitablemanner onthe machineframework at the'top and front thereof; :This pipe 52 isconnected with a suitable source. of suction. (not shown) that createsavacuum inlthe rollers 46 [when the arcuate-shaped ports thereof arebrought into register with'the ends of the conduits 50. The bell crank37, 38 if The .rollers'46 of each set are further provided atcorresponding points thereon with apertured'suckers 53 which are rotatedinto opposed relation when the signature is delivered edge downwardbetween the rollers by the described feeding'mechanism. At this time,the arcuate-sha'pedports ofthe rollers are brought into registry withthe ends of the suction conduits 50 and/the vacuum thus created" in theIrollers 46 acts through the suckers'53 to separate the two halves ofthe signature as it is fed between said rollers for delivery ontoa'saddle to'be'presently described and which includes a signatureconveyor. Afterthe signature is thus opened, the ports of the rollers 46pass'out of registry with the conduits 50 andthe signature drops ontosaid saddle and conveyor.

' The signature conveyor comprises an endless chain 54 provided atintervals therealong with. signature pushing fingers 55. This chainpasses over sprockets (not shown) which -ar epmounted at opposite endsof the machine and driven in any suitable manner.

The upper reach oflthe chain 54 is supported M messes on, and forms-';thefupper m of, a saddle sewn eh extends io 'auaman cfthe machinebelowthe rollers tiiflThis saddle 56, in turn, is supported 1 on, standards57 each provided with an opening 58 for the lower reach of thelchain54e'These standards are j boltedor otherwise suitably'secured to f'r amemembers, such as indicated at 59, =saidgframe members beingfbolted-orotherwise suitably secured, as at '60,: to thegmachine foundation 6-. Itwill 'of course beiunderstood that when one set of rollers 46'de'liv'ersa signature onto 1 the cha in 54 in front of oneof the'pushers I 55, "said chain is 'rmoved forward'below the fnext setof'rollers' which delivers a signature on" top of the -'firstgrmentioned signature.

These f'ope'rations' are repeated to assemble the 'signatures in amanner welliunderstood v .in-thefart and as shown in my 'Patent No;-'.1,236,181,granted August7, 1917;; I In accordance withfthe presentinvention,

' means are provided for delivering'a blast or "blasts ofa-ir into thesignatures,'in order to insure thafithe twohalves" thereof will; beproperly separated prior to delivery offlthe signature onto the saddleand the conveyor Y I thereof. Said means willjpreferably adjustabletodirect the blast or blasts of'fair'at the proper angle or angles withrespect'to the i signature that is beingo'pened by the rollers 4'6, andthe embodimentlof 'saidmeansf'here f in illustrated is preferablyarranged land operated as follows."

Mounted between the rollers 46am the sig: nature assenibl-ing devicecomprised the conveyor 54; and the saddle 56 are' a plurality Vofn'ozzl'es 61,62. These nozzlesaredisposed inclined relation onopposite sides 'fGf the K 'opposedexit orifices of said nozzles, asshown in Fig.3, are directed toward the rollersto deliver blastsof airinto the signatures being opened thereby. The nozzles 61 are arranged inpairsunder one roller 46 of each set thereof, andthe nozzles 62 arelikewise arranged in pairs underthe opposite roller 46 cf each setthereof. 'It'was'previo'usly pointed out that theshafts 47 which] carrysaid rollers aremoutned in bracketed? projeeting frem the front ofthemachine. 'Thesebraekets v have secured to or formed integrally therewith, liigs sue'h as indicated 6.3, and "each of the.;'nozzles 61 isgripped. in aclamp 64 that i'sadjustably mounted at 65 on a holder 66.":The holder 66,"in' turn, is mounted for I 1 vertical adjustment iniasuitable opening in the corresponding lug '63-and retained in thedesired position of adjustment therein, as

. 1 by a set screw 67 Three adjustments for on each nozzle 6l are thusprovided, one'being a; vertical adjustment obtained by correspondingmovementiof the holder 66, the sec 5 ondbeinganangular adjustmentobtained by swingingmovement of theclamp'64, and the thirda longitudinaladj ustlnentof the nozzle in said clamp.- f Thefnozzles 62 are each supported by a clamp 68 that is adjustably mounted at 69 i'nlthe slot 7 0of a bracket 71 which issecured'at 72 to the forward end of one of thebrackets 47. Three adjustments'are thus provided for-each nozzle 62,-

one being an angular adjustmentobtained' by swinging the clamp 68 aboutits pivot 69, .the second beinga vertical adjustment ob-' tained bymoving the clamp 68 along the slot ofbra'cket 71, and the third alongitudinal adjustment-of the nozzle in said clamp.

' The nozzles 61,62 are connected with flexible conduits 73, 74,respectively. The conduits 73 are connected with elbows 77 which inturnare connected withpipes 75. These elbows are provided with manuallyoperated valves 76' whereby'the nozzles '61 may be thrown into or out ofoperation as-desired. The conduits 74 are directly connected with thepipes 75, theconduits 7 1 being provided with manually operated valves78 whereby the nozzles 62 may be thrown intoorout of operation, asdesired.

The pipes 7 5 extend longitudinally of the machine and aresupported inany suitable manneron the frame work thereof. Said pipes are connectedat'79 with valve casings SOtha-tja-re secured to or formed'jintegrallyw-ithbrackets 81 which are bolted or other wise suitably secured at 82to one of the supports 8 The valve casings -comn1un1ea'te throughconduits 83 with a pipe 84 thatis' connected with-a blower (not shown)for producing airblasts in the nozzles 61,62. The control of the airblasts delivered through the nozzles 61, 62 is obtained by the shaft 87,and said links are pivotally conneeted at 92 with the valves 85. Therollers 89 are maintained in engagement with the earns 88 by springs 93that are mounted on rods 94. The opposite ends of said springs bearagainst the machine foundation 6 and collars 95, said collars beingsecured "on the rods '94 by machine screws '96 or the like. The upperends of'the rods 94 are pivotally co'nnected'at 97 with the valves 85and the links 90. The lower ends of the rods 94 6X- tend freely insuitable openings-'98 formed in the machine foundation 6. 1 v

- The operating mechanism for the valves 85 is so timed with respect tothe operating mechanism 'forthe rollers 46, that when the tures; .1Itwill of course beunderstood thatwhen the signatures are released" fromthe rollers 46 for delivery onto the conveyor 54, the

valves 85 will be closed to cutoff the air blasts through the nozzles61, 62.

The nozzles'6l, 62 may, by the described v pressly. understood that theinvention is not adjustments therefor, be moved to .various positions inorder to obtai'na direction and efi'ect of the airbl'astsbest; suited tothe s1g-' natures being handled in the machine. f

. In the event that signatures-with uncut, or e folded edges are handledin the machine, the

nozzles 61, 62 could be alternately thrown out of operation by thevalves 76, 78 respectively, in accordance with the location of the uncutedges with respect to the saddle 56. In

Fig. 3, for example, the uncut edge of the signaturelo there shown isdisposed over the left side of saddle 56, in'which case the noz-, zles62 would be thrown out of operation by closing the valves 78; On theother hand, if"

the uncut edge of the signature Was disposed over the right side ofsaddle 56, the nozzles '61 would be thrown out oi operation byclosingathe valves 76. The nozzle under the rollerthat is engaging theclosed or folded half of the signature isthe one that is used,

and it is'aimed or directed to deliver theblast against the-half or" thesignature havingopen edges insorder to insure, that-none of thele'ave's'of the half of the signatures having open edgesgshall bedeposited on the wrong side ofthe saddle. 3

Further, on four page signatures, for eX- ample, where no trouble 1sencountered in opening the same and the machine is running-at highspeed, theair blasts on both sides ofthe saddle canbe used to assistgravity in delivering the signatures onto the re- ,ceiving means orsaddle. "In this case, the

nozzles 61, 62 would preferably be turned downwardly to the positionsthereof shown in-Figi 4, so as to direct the air blasts onto.

the outer pages of the signatures.

In the event signatures with cut edges on both halves thereof arehandled in the machine,- the signatures will pr ferably be opened at oneside by mechanical gripper that grips one half ofeach folded signature.The nozzle arranged undertheopening roller or cylinder provlded with thegrippers will be" employed,-and so positioned as to blow air against heother half ofthesign ature' to keep it ontheproper side of thesaddle- Itwill be noted that the air is delivered through the nozzles 61, 62intermittently,

rather than continuously. Continuous air blasts sometimes blow thesignatures oil the receiving means orsaddle. This difficulty iseliminated by the present inventionthrough 65 the provision of means fortiming the air blasts with respect tosrotation of the rollers andthemaking and breaking of suction therein',' the air being deliveredthrough the nozzleswhen the, signatures are in position for delivery '0I1 tothe saddle,'-and being cut ofi' just'as the signatures are droppedon .o the .Wh-ile one embodiment of the inventive idea is hereindisclosed and described with more or less particularity, it is to beoi;-

it is'opened'by said members.- 1-

2. In a machine of he character described,

a saddle, a'pair oif members for opening" and delivering a signatureontosaid saddle, and a pair otnozzles inclined toward each otherandeachadapted to, direct a blast of air onto said signature. V I Iniamacl 'ne ofthe' character described, a signature conveyor, pair ofrollers for opening and -deliveri-ng aisignature onto thesignatureuconveyorpand a plurality "of inclined nozzles having opposedexit orifices each adapted to discharge a blast Qfalt onto saidsignature. v I 4. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a saddle, 7means -.for opening and delivering a signature onto the saddle, andnozzles at opposite sides of the saddle and'each adapt edto direct ablast of air onto said signature.

I 5. Ina machine of the character described, Y 'a s1gnature recelvingdevice, aplurality of a signaturereceiving device, means-for opening anddelivering a signature thereto, and a nozzle interposedbetweenthesignaturc receivingdevice and saidmeans and adapted to directa blast of air onto the signature when it is opened by the latter. 'i j,

7. In a machine of the character described,

asignature receiving device, means for openingand delivering a signaturethereto, a 1102- zle adapted to direct a blast ofair onto thesignature'when it is openedrby'said means, and means foradjustingsaidnozzle to various positions.

8. In a machine of the character described, a signature receivingdevice, means for opening' and'deliveringasignaturerthereto, a'nozzlefor directinga blast ofair onto the signature between said deviceandsaid means,

